Dry mine laying submarine



Aug. 18, 1931. H. E. GRlEsHABl-:R

DRY MINE LAYING SUBMARINE Filed Jan. 19. 1929 2 Sheets-'Sheet 1 @Hm/@rz or Hagofff rrsizaber 1 8', 1931.1 H. E. @Russi-:ABER 1,819,022

DRY MINE LAYING SUBMARINE Filed Jan. 19.l 1929 2 SheetsfSheet 2 1711905. Grieg ha er Patented Aug. 18, l1931 stares TENT GFFE HUGO E. GRESHABER, GF NEW' LONDON, CCNNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR- T0 ELECTRC BOAT COMPANY, OF GROTE-N, CGNNECTC'T, CORORATION OF NEW" JERSEY DRY lVINE LAT-(ING SUBMARINE Application filed January 19, 1929.

This invention relates to mine laying submarine boats, and more particularly to a submarine boat for laying mines by what is known as the dry system.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide a submarine boat having mine stowage tubes so disposed as not to occupy valuable space in the pressure hull, these tubes having associated therewith means for 1o transferring the mines trom the tubes and for discharging them eXteriorly of the hull. Another object is to so dispose the mine stowage tubes in relation to the hull structure as to obviate any increase in the dimensions l5 thereof, thus preventing interference with the speed or distance of action of the boat.

. further object is to provide a boat in. which the stowage tubes and associated parts are so disposed as to provide an extremely simple comikiensating system while also preventing any material chang-e in trim of the boat during discharge oi the mines. C

Another object is to provide a boat in which the stowage tubes are so disposed and arranged as to eliminate eddics such as would interfere with the speed or handling of the boat. it is also an object of my invention to provide simple andhighly etiicient means for laying or discharging the mines while per- :3 mitting the same to be examined immediately before discharge to determine the condition of the gear thereof.

Further objects and advantages of my 1nvention will appear Jfrom the detailed de- Q scription.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a. fragmentary horizontal sectional viewitalren 'through the midship portion of a submarine boat constructed in accordance with my invention; n

2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the midship port-ion of the boat;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fi o'. 4 is a section taken substantiaily on line -e ot Fig. 1;

Fik 5 is a section taken substantially on line 5-5 ot Fig. l;

Je en Serial No. 333,610.

G is a section taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the mine room and one side of the hull structure, illustrating the use ot the trolley in loading the mines into the stowage tubes;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through one of the stowage tubes, taken lengthwise thereof, on an enlarged scale and illustrating the mine conveying means, parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 9 is a. transverse section, on an enlarged scale, through one of the stowage tubes illustrating the mine conveying means, parts being shown in elevation and the sprocket chains being omitted Jfor' clearness of illustration.

The boat is, in general, of known construction and comprises an inner pressure hull 1 and an uter hull 2, the space between these two hulls constituting ballast and co1npensating tanks in a known manner. At each side of the pressure hull 1, and in the space between the two hulls, I provide two tubes 3 which are disposed in s-uperposed relation. rl`hese tubes extend fore and laft of the hull and are preferably, though not necessarily,

disposed horizontally. The tubes 3 are wa.

tertight and are adapted to withstand full submergence pressure. The forward ends of the tubes are closed at 4. At their rearwardv ends the tubes open into spaces 5 which constitute extensions of a mine room 46 within hull 1 at the midship portion thereof. Mine racks 7 are mounted in spaces 5 and, when the mines have been loaded into the tubes and upon these racks, removable stanchions 8 are secured at the inner sides of the spaces 5 as in Fig. 5.

The stowage tubes 3 open att, that is, to ward the stern of the boat. A mine discharge tube 9 is provided in alignment with each of the tubes 3 and closely adjacent rack 7. lThis tube is provided, at each end, with a gate valve 10. These valves operate in casings 11 which extend through the pressure hull 1 and into the mine room 6. These valves may be operated manually from within the mine room 6, though I prefer to provide suitable mechanism for assuring quick operation of the valves, this mechanism comprising cylinders 12 to which compressed air may be supplied in a known manner.

Any other suitable or preferred means may be employed for operating the gate valves. The tube 9 and the associated valves constitute a lock for transferring a mine from the rack to the exterior of the hull 1. The after end of this tube 9 opens into a space 13 in which is mounted a spoon or cradle 14. This cradle is pivotally mounted at 15 and is normally held in its inner or inoperative position by a piston rod 1G connected to the cradle above the pivot 15 and operating through a stuiiing boX 17 through the pressure hull l. Piston rod 16 is connected to ka piston which operates in a cylinder 18 suitably mounted in the mine room 6. Suitable Vmeans is provided for admitting air to the cylinder at either side of the piston for operatng the spoon. Preferably, though not necessarily, I provide a contact member 19 which projects into space 13 and is disposed for engagement by the end of a mine which has been moved into full position in the spoon 14. This Contact member 19 has associated therewith suitable means, either electrical or mechanical, for opening a valve and admitting air into the cylinder 18 at the inner side of the piston when the mine is moved into full position upon the spoon. This results in outward movement of the piston rod 16, thus swinging the spoon outwardly about axis 15 into the dotted line position of Fig. 3 so as to discharge the mine laterally of the hull and beyond the same. After the mine has thus been discharged, air is admitted te the cylinder at the outer side of the piston retracting the piston rod 1G and returning the spoon 14 to its inner normal or inoperative position.

Each of the tubes 8 and the rack and tube 9 associated therewith is provided with suitable conveying mechanism for moving the mines through the tubes in either direction and for transferring the mines fro-m the rack to the tubes 9 of the lock. This conveying mechanism also serves to move the mines outwardly of the locks into proper position in the spoon 14 to be discharged thereby.' Conveying mechanism of this character is known in the art and need not be illustrated nor described in detail. The mec ianism which I prefer to use is similar to that disclosed in my patent for mine discharging device, issued October 27, 1925, Patent No. 1,558,868, This mechanism comprises a plurality of shafts 2O which extend into the lower portion of the respective tubes 3. These shafts are provided, at their outer ends, with sprocket wheels 20a about which pass sprocket chains 21 which also pass about a sprocket wheel 20?; secured on a shaft 22 driven by an electric motor 23 in the mine room 6. Operation of this motor is preferably controlled by a suitable switch conveniently located in the mine room. The shafts 2O and 22 pass through suitable stuffing boxes 23a in the tubes 3 and each shaft is provided with a pinion 24 secured thereon and disposed in a housing 3a depending from tube 3. These pinions mesh with rack bars 25a on the mines 25 for moving the same through the tubes and along the associated racks and tubes 9. This conveyor mechanism provides means whereby the mines can be loaded into the stowage tubes and can be transferred therefrom to the mine receiving and discharging member.

When it is desired to lay or discharge the mines, the valve at the forward end of the tube or lock 9 is opened, the other valve remaining closed. A mine is then moved from the rack into tube 9 and the valve at the forward end of this tube is then closed. Sea water is then admitted to tube 9 from a compensating tank 25 located in alignment with and below tube 9 and communicating therewith by a pipe 27 having branches connected to the respective tubes 9 and provided with valves 28 for controlling communication between the compensating tank and either of the tubes. T he valve at the after end of tube 9 is then opened and the mine is moved aft onto the spoon 14 and, when in full position upon Athe spoon, contacts the member 19, thus causing the mine te be discharged laterally of the boat beyond the hull thereof in the manner above described. The valve at the after end of tube 9 is then closed and the water in this tube is blown into the compensating tank 26. Suitable means is provided whereby water from the compensating tank may be transferred to a compensating tank 29 disposed immediately aft of spoon 14. During the movement of the mine from tube 9 of the lock into the spoon 14, water is caused to flow from compensating tank 29 forwardly to compensating tank 8O which is disposed immediate'ly forward of the forward end of tubes 3. This forward movement of the water olf-sets the moment due to the rearward or sternward movement of the mine. In practice, the lirst mine is discharged from one of the lower tubes, the second mine being discharged from the lower tube on the other side of the hull, the third mine is discharged from the top tube at the side of the hull at which the first mine was discharged, and the fourth mine is discharged from the top mine at the side of the hull from which the second mine was discharged; the mines being discharged in this order until all or as many of the mines as desired have been discharged. This order of discharging the mines is not essential, however, and may be varied as conditions may require, though, where conditions will permit, I prefer to discharge the mines in this order as this prevents disturbing the trim of the boat. After all of the mines have been discharged, the compensating tanks 29 and 30 are full of water, these tanks being of proper capacity to compensate for the mines. It is to be particularly noted that the tubes, as well as the compensating tanks, are disposed at the midship portion of the boat. This provides a simple arrangement which facilitates compensation.

I he shafts and the pinions associated therewith, for conveying the mines from the rack to the tube 9 of the lock, and thence to the spoon 14, may be operated independently of the other shafts for moving the mines along the tubes 3. For this purpose any suitable or preferred arrangement of clutches or other mechanical devices may be employed. Various arrangements of this general character are familiar to those skilled in the art and the particular arrangement used need not be illustrated nor described in detail.

A hatch 31, provided with a suitable hatch cover or door 32, admits of the mines being lowered into the mine room 6 as indicated in Fig. 2.

After the mines have been lowered into the mine room, the stanchions 8 being removed, they are moved or transported by a suitable trolley 33a (Fig. 7), which travels on rails 33 extending transversely of the mine room and at opposite sides of hatch 31, to the rack. The mines are then loaded onto the lower rack and, by proper operation of the conveying mechanism, are moved forwardly into the lower tube 3. After the lower tube and the lower rack have been completely loaded, the upper tube and upper rack are similarly loaded and the stanchions 8 are replaced. To facilitate loading of the mines onto the upper rack, a temporary rack or stand 34 may be used, this temporary rack being -removed when the loading operation has been completed. `In this manner the tubes and racks can be loaded with facility.

Each of the tubes 3 is capable of containing nine mines which, with the one mine supported upon the rack in alignment with the tube, makes a total of ten mines for each tube and rack, or a total of forty mines which can be carried by the boat. 'Ihe length of the tubes can be varied within limits and I do not, therefore, limit myself to the particular number of mines which the tube carries. By disposing the tubes between the hulls, valuable space in the pressure hull is not taken up and the necessity of increasing the dimensions of the boat to accommodate the mine stowage tubes is eliminated. It is also to be noted that, by employing a small number of mine stowage tubes, the mines can be readily laid or discharged therefrom by comparatively simple mechanism and all necessity of employing a large number of discharging mechanisms for this purpose is avoided.

A further advantage is that all of the mechanisms for transferring the mines from the tubes and for discharging them, are controlled from the mine room 6. 'Ihe advantage of having the tubes 3 open into the spaces oreXtensions 5 of the mine room is that the mines can be inspected immediately before discharge thereof to determine the condition of the mine gear, and, if necessary, proper alterations or repairs therein can be made. It is to be noted that the mine room 6 is closed to the sea, in that it is not flooded when laying the mines, and provides a dry compartment within which the members of the crew discharging the mines are stationed.

Preferably the mine stowage tubes are at thev midship portion of the boat, though this is not essential. In its broader aspects, my invention comprehends any suitable arrangement of the tubes relative to each other and to the hull, by which valuable space within the. pressure hull is conserved and a multiplicity -of closures for the tubes, and associated complicated operating and control mechanisms, are avoided. I also contemplate the use of suitable valves, other than gate valves, at the ends of the lock for transferring the mines to the spoons. My invention also comprehends, in its broader aspects, the use of stowage tubes which keep the mines dry, and suitable means associated therewith for shipping the mines and discharging them, without being limited to the use of the mine room or the particular relation between the same and the tubes.

What I claim is l. In a mine lc ying submarine boat, a water tight mine stowage tube at the midship portion of the hull and extending fore and aft thereof, a midship mine room within the hull, the tube opening into said room, and means for transferring the mines from the tube and discharging them exteriorly of the hull while maintaining the mine room closed to the sea.

2. I,n a mine laying submarine boat, a mine room within the hull, a water tight and pressure resistant mine stowage tube exterior of the pressure hull and opening into the mine room, and means for transferring the mines from the tube and discharging them exteriorly of the hull while maintaining the mine room closed to the sea.

3. In a mine laying submarine boat, a mine room, a water tight and pressure resistant mine stowage tube exterior of the pressure hull and disposed fore and aft thereof, said tube opening into the mine room, and means for transferring the mines from the tube and discharging them exteriorly of the hull while maintaining the mine room closed to the sea.

il. In a mine laying submarine boat, a mine room, a horizontally disposed water tight and pressure resistant mine stowage tube exterior of the pressure hull and disposed fore and aft thereof, said tube opening into the mine room, and means for transferring the mines from the ytube and discharging them eX- teriorly of the hull while maintaining the mine room closed to the sea.

5. In a mine laying submarine boat, a mine room, a water tight mine stowage tube closed at one end and opening at its other end into the mine room, said tube extending'fore and aft of the hull and being adapted to withstand full submergence pressure, a lock adj acent and aligned with the open end of the tube, means for operating the lock valves from within the mine room, a mine receiving and discharging member adjacent the outlet end of the llock and closely adjacent the same, means for transferring mines from the tube to the lock and thence to said member, and means controlled from Within the mine room for operating the mine receiving and discharging member.

6. In a mine laying submarine boat, comprising an outer hull and an inner pressure hull, the inner hull comprising a mine room,

a mine stowage tube between the hulls and disposed fore and aft thereof, said tube being water tight and pressure resistant and opening at one end into the mine room, mine supporting rack in the room and closely adjacent and aligned with said end of the tube, a lock disposed to receive mines from the rack, means operable from within the mine room for receiving mines from the lock and discharging them exteriorly of the hull, the lock valves being controlled from within the mine room, and means operable from Within the mine room for conveying the mines through the tube in either direction and for transferring the mines from the rack to the lock and thence to said receiving and discharging means.

7. In a mine laying submarine boat, a midship mine room, a water tight and pressure resistant mine stowage tube exterior to the pressure hull at one side thereof and disposed fore and aft of the hull and being at the midship portion of the hull, the tube opening at one end into the mine room, means for receivingthe mines from the tube and discharging them exteriorly of the hull, means for transferring the mines from the tube to said receiving and discharge means, said transferring means comprising a lock, a compensating tank beneath the lock and having valved connection therewith, the receiving and discharging means and the lock valves and said connection being controlled from within the mine room, and compensating tanks adjacent the other end of the tube and adjacent the receiving and discharging means, respectively.

8. In a mine laying submarine boat, a midship mine room, a water tight and pressure resistant mine stowage tube exterior to the pressure hull, at one side thereof, and eX- tending fore and after of the hull, said tube opening at one end into the mine room, a hatch giving access to the mine room for shipping the mines, a rack at said end of the tube and disposed in alignment with the outer hull and an inner pressure hull, a mine stowage tube between the hulls and disposed fore and aft thereof, a mine receiving and discharging member exterior of the pressure hull and normally disposed substantially flush with the outer hull, said youter hull being faired to the receiving and discharging member, means for transferring mines from said tube to the receiving and discharging bmember, and means for operating said mem- 10. In a mine laying submarine boat, an outer hull and an inner pressure hull, a mine stowage tube between the two hulls and disposed fore and aft thereof, and means for removing the mines from the tube and discharging them exteriorly of the hull, said means comprising an opening through the outer hull and a movable member normally closing said opening, the movable member being substantially flush with said outer hull lrnd the outer hull being faired to said meml1. In a mine laying submarine boat, a mine room, a water tight mine stowage tube closed at one end and opening at its other end into the mine room, said tube extending fore and aft of the hull and being adapted to withstand full submergence pressure, and means for transferring the mines from the tube at the open end thereof and discharging them exteriorly of the hull while maintaining the mine room closed to the sea.

12. In a mine laying submarine boat, an

outer hull and an inner pressure hull, a mine stowage tube between the hulls at the sides and disposed fore and aft thereof, a mine room within the pressure hull, and tube being closed at one end and opening at its other end into the mine room, and means for transferring the mines from the tube at the open Vend thereofand discharging them eX- teriorly of the hull While maintaining the mine room closed to the sea.

In witness whereof, .I hereunto subscribe my name this 7 day of January, 1929.

HUGO E. GRIESHABER. 

